MONTHLY EMAILS

January 2026

​

Dear Camp Howe Families,

​

We’re so glad you’re here and we’re already counting down to summer 2026!

Whether Camp Howe has been part of your family’s story for years or this will be your camper’s very first experience with us, we’re excited to officially kick off the season together. Planning for summer is already well underway, cabins are filling quickly, and the energy around camp is building by the day.

​

Camp Howe is a place where kids feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves while trying new things, building confidence, and forming real friendships. We can’t wait to welcome your camper(s) into this special community and share all the moments that make a Camp Howe summer unforgettable.

​

What to Expect Between Now and Summer

Between now and summer, you’ll hear from us monthly with short, helpful emails designed to keep you informed, prepared, and excited. These updates will include:

• Important dates and reminders

• Packing tips and what to expect at camp

• Helpful insights on things like easing the transition to camp and avoiding homesickness
   

They’re quick reads but packed with important details, so please be sure to add us to your contacts to keep them out of spam. Much of this information can also be found anytime on our website: https://www.camphowe.com/questions-and-answers

 

Mark Your Calendars

• May 6 at 7:00 PM (Zoom link and details will be sent closer to the date.) Join us for a live Zoom meeting to meet key staff and ask any questions you may have.

• June 20, 1:00–3:00 PM Come experience Camp Howe in person at our Open House. Tour the camp, meet the team, and see where the magic happens.

 

Please Double-Check Your Registration Details

Take a moment to review your camper’s information - date of birth, gender, program, and session - to be sure everything is accurate. As programs fill, it becomes more difficult to accommodate changes to cabin assignments or sessions.

 

If you’re hoping to switch sessions, feel free to email us. We’ll always do our best to help if space allows.

 

Gender-Inclusive Cabins

We’ve received thoughtful questions about our gender-inclusive cabin options. At Camp Howe, campers are welcome to choose the environment that best supports their gender identity. Campers may select a male, female, or an all-gender cabin.

For some campers, a gender-inclusive cabin offers the most comfortable and affirming experience. For others, it’s a way to attend camp with siblings or friends of different genders. These cabins are designed to be inclusive, safe, and fun for everyone.

​

If your camper would like to switch to a gender-inclusive cabin, just let us know - we’re happy to assist.

​

2026 Weekly Themes

Camp Howe offers a carefully designed week to week program grounded in consistent structure, skill development, and inclusive activities. Our creative weekly themes are layered on top of this strong foundation to add extra fun and imagination - especially during evening programs and all-camp events without changing the integrity of our core program.

​

🐠  Session 1: Under the Sea 🐙

🕵️‍♂️  Session 2: Whodunit Mystery 🔍

🤠  Session B: Wild Wild West (Day Camp Sessions 3 and 4) 🌵

🦸‍♀️  Session 5: Superheroes 💥

🎬  Session 6: Red Carpet Week ✨

🏴‍☠️  Session D: Pirates vs. Unicorns (Day Camp Sessions 7 and 8) 🦄

 

Financial Aid

If you’re interested in applying for financial aid, please email us and we’ll send you an application.

​

Meet the Team

We’re proud to be led by a deeply experienced and passionate leadership team who know Camp Howe inside and out.

• Nora, Camp Director, returns for her 20th summer, leading an incredible team already hard at work planning an unforgettable season.

• Terrie, Executive Director, brings 24 years of dedication and leadership to Camp Howe.

• Our Health Supervisor is returning for their 23rd summer, helping ensure the health, safety, and well-being of every camper.

 

Together, our 11 member leadership team brings a combined 141 years of Camp Howe experience - a level of care, knowledge, and continuity that truly sets our camp apart.

​

Want to get to know the team a little better? Meet our staff here: https://www.camphowe.com/our-staff

 

Join the Fun Online

Get a glimpse of camp life and summer magic by following us on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camphowe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camp_howe/

​

Thank you for trusting us with your camper’s summer. We are beyond excited to help them build lifelong friendships, grow their confidence, and have the time of their lives.

​

Warmly,

Terrie and Nora

​

Top Reasons Camp Howe Is a Great Choice for Your Child’s Summer

1. Inclusion Isn’t a Buzzword—It’s Who We Are Every child belongs here. Full stop.

2. It Changes Lives This isn’t just a camp -it’s often a turning point. Campers return home more confident, joyful, and themselves.

3. Skills That Last a Lifetime Teamwork, communication, responsibility—learned through real experiences, not classrooms.

4. Discovering Hidden Strengths With encouragement and trust, campers discover what they’re capable of—often without even realizing it.

5. Space to Be Their Truest Selves No labels. No pressure. Just belonging.

6. Confidence That Sticks From archery to canoeing to performing at campfire, every small win builds courage.

7. Fresh Air Beats Screen Time Campers reconnect with nature, friends, and themselves—without digital distractions.

8. A Safe, Supportive Bubble Caring, trained adults who guide, encourage, and cheer campers on every step of the way.

9. Real Friendships, Really Fast There’s something special about bonding over campfires and shared adventures.

10. Memories That Go Beyond August The songs fade, but the confidence, laughter, and pride last.

11. Because the Magic Is Real It’s hard to explain—but once you feel it, you never forget it.

12. Adventures They Can’t Get at Home Kayaks, farm animals, gaga ball, and days that never feel ordinary—every camper leaves with stories to tell.

​

​​

February 2026

Happy February Vacation! While many of you are enjoying snowy adventures and cozy winter days, here at Camp Howe we’re dreaming of sunshine, warm breezes, and creating a fun, safe, and unforgettable summer experience for your child.

 

Our community is clearly dreaming of summer too—Resident Camp is nearly 90% full and Day Camp is already 95% full! Now is the perfect time to log in and double-check your registration to be sure you’re enrolled in the correct program and week. If you’ve been considering adding an extra week—or if your child wants to attend with a friend—don’t wait to sign up!

 

If you missed our January email, you can always find past updates here:

https://www.camphowe.com/monthly-emails

 

Attached is the Family Handbook, your go-to guide for all things Camp Howe. If you don’t find what you need inside, please reach out—we’re always happy to help.

 

💳 Financial Reminders & Support

 

To help families prepare for the best summer ever, here are a few key reminders:​

• Final payments are due by June 1, and no later than four weeks before your session begins.

•  Checks should be made payable to Camp Howe Inc.

•  Payment plans are available during registration to spread out costs, though full payment must still be completed four weeks before the session.

•  A $100 non-refundable deposit per week reserves your camper’s spot.

•   After May 15, tuition becomes non-refundable, as staffing and program costs are finalized.

•  Cancellations must be submitted in writing to the Camp Office or through CampDocs.

•  Refunds are not provided for dismissal, homesickness, or voluntary withdrawal.

•  Families who registered using BYPASS2026, please submit the minimum deposit to secure their place.

•  Camp Howe’s Tax ID is 04-2258213 for tax or childcare reimbursement purposes.

•  Campership (financial aid) applications are available by emailing office@camphowe.com Deadline is March 1. We understand that the cost of camp can be a stretch, and we are committed to helping families access the Camp Howe experience whenever possible.

 

 Fun facts about our 2026 staff:

🌟 We are fully staffed and excitedly getting ready for a summer filled with magic.

🌍 Our team members come from five U.S. states and more than fifteen countries, representing six of the seven continents.

📊 The average staff age is 24, with a median age of 22.

🏕️ Seventy-nine percent of our staff are returning to Camp Howe.

🎉 Our Director will celebrate 20 years at Camp Howe this summer.

✨ Every staff member is fully committed to creating a magical and meaningful experience for every camper.

 

You can meet our amazing team here: https://www.camphowe.com/our-staff

 

Next month, we’ll share important information about physicals, medications, and required paperwork to help you stay on track for summer. Until then, enjoy the rest of February vacation—and keep dreaming of summer at Camp Howe. We can’t wait to welcome your family back to the magic. ☀️🏕️

 

Terrie, Nora and the Amazing Team of 2026!

​

 

March  2026

Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes the excitement of warmer days, longer evenings, and the countdown to camp beginning to feel very real – only 90 days until our session 1 campers arrive. We are so looking forward to welcoming your child to Camp Howe this summer and appreciate the care and attention you give to preparing them for a safe, healthy, and successful camp experience.
 

This month’s update focuses on all things medical—what’s required, what to expect, and how we support your child while they are with us.

 

🩺 Required Forms

Camp Howe requires specific medical documentation for all campers to ensure their health and safety during their stay.

Medical Forms and Physical Examination

• Health History Form: Must be completed in CampDocs within six months prior to camp.

• Physical Examination: Required within 18 months of the last day of camp. Must be signed and dated by a licensed physician. Doctor’s offices get busy in the late spring and summer with camp and sports physicals.

• Immunization Records: A current immunization record must be uploaded.

• Medication Authorization: Required for each medication, along with signed parental consent. Authorization is required for prescription or over the counter not listed on our standing orders that can be found in your profile under the Medication tab. (This includes OTC medication such as  Zyrtec).

These requirements align with Massachusetts state regulations and the American Camp Assocition and are essential for camp attendance.

 

💊 Medication at Camp

All medications—both prescription and over-the-counter—must:

• Be in original containers

• Be handed directly to the Health Supervisor at check-in

• The camp infirmary stocks all of the medications listed on the Medication tab that you sign off on.

For campers who carry inhalers or EpiPens, please provide two:

• One for the camper to carry

• One kept by the Health Supervisor as a backup

• Medications are administered by certified or appropriately trained staff following physician orders and guidance from our Health Care Consultant.

Over-the-Counter Medication

• We can only administer medications listed in CampDocs unless we have written physician authorization from the camper’s own physician.

• If possible, please send pill or chewable forms instead of liquid medications to support timely and accurate administration.

 

📋 Immunization Requirements & Exceptions

Massachusetts requires the following immunizations (summary):

• Two MMR’s (measles, mumps, and rubella)

• At least 3 doses polio vaccine. If a mixed (IVP/OPV) schedule was used, four doses are required

• At least 4 doses of DTaP

• One dose of Td (Tdap preferred) is required if it has been more than 10 years since the previous dose of Td.

• 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine or laboratory evidence of immunity if born in 1992 or after.

• 2 doses of Varicella

• MenACWY (Meningococcal Vaccine): 1 Dose for grades 7-9 and 2 doses for grades 11 and above

Exceptions (per MA regulations):

• Religious exemption (written statement required)

• Medical contraindication (physician documentation required)

Please note: If there is an outbreak at camp, non-immunized campers may be required to leave camp for safety reasons.

 

🥗 Allergies & Dietary Needs

Please make sure all allergy and dietary information is clearly documented.

• Food Allergies: Share severity and exposure risks

• Nut Awareness: Camp Howe is a nut-aware facility. We ask all families not to send any food, snacks, or personal care items (such as lotions, shampoos, or lip balms) that contain or may contain any nuts. This helps us maintain a safer environment for all campers.

• Dietary Restrictions & Preferences: We strive to accommodate a variety of dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets. If your child has specific food restrictions, please communicate them in advance so we can work with our kitchen team to provide appropriate meal options.

• Severe Allergies: f your camper has a severe allergy requiring an EpiPen or other emergency medication, please provide clear instructions and ensure that their health forms are up to date. If additional precautions are needed, reach out to discuss how we can best support your child.

If your child has specific medical, physical, or emotional needs, we encourage you to reach out so we can partner with you in supporting them.

 

🤒 If Your Child Feels Unwell

We know that sometimes campers have off days, they might be a little tired, not feeling quite themselves, or coming down with something. When that happens, our focus is simple: make sure they feel cared for, comfortable, and supported until they’re ready to jump back into camp life.
 

Our staff are great at noticing when something seems “off” and will check in right away. If needed, your child will spend some time with our Health Care Supervisor, who will take a closer look and help them rest, hydrate, and feel better.

Sometimes all a camper needs is a break, a quiet space, and a little extra TLC. We keep a close eye on them and make sure they’re improving before returning to activities.
 

If something is lingering, not improving, or we have any concerns, we will always reach out to you to talk through what’s going on and next steps together.

And of course, in the rare case of a more serious situation, we will call 911 and contact you immediately.|
 

At the end of the day, we treat every camper the way we would want our own kids to be cared for—thoughtfully, attentively, and with a lot of heart.

 

 

📅 Important Dates & Reminders - Mark Your Calendars

• May 6 at 7:00 PM
  Join us for a live Zoom meeting to meet key staff, learn more about the summer, and ask any questions. (Details and link will be shared closer to the date.)

• May 15
  Last day to withdraw from camp without being responsible for full tuition.

• May 17 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  Love Your Camp Day - Come lend a hand as we get Camp Howe ready for the summer season. Many hands make light work, and it’s a great way to reconnect with camp!

• June 20 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM
  Camp Howe Open House - Visit camp, meet the team, take a tour, and see where the magic happens before the summer begins.

We know this is a lot of information, but each step helps us create a safe and supportive environment where campers can thrive. Our health team, led by Kimi and an incredible group of experienced nurses, is here to care for your child every step of the way.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. We can’t wait for summer 2026—it’s going to be an amazing one.

Warmly,
Terrie and Nora